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Ziwi Peak vs Vital Essentials

Ziwi Peak vs. Vital Essentials

In this comparison article for Ziwi Peak vs Vital Essentials, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Ziwi Peak and Vital Essentials, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Vital Essentials vs Ziwi Peak comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Ziwi Peak Review Page or Vital Essentials Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Vital Essentials vs. Ziwi Peak

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Ziwi Peak Dog Food vs. Vital Essentials Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Crude Protein45.1%52.2%
Crude Fat34.8%28.7%
Crude Fiber2.7%4.1%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Crude Protein43.9%53.7%
Crude Fat26.0%31.0%
Crude Fiber7.6%5.6%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Our analysis shows that Vital Essentials guarantees 7.06% more protein than Ziwi Peak dry dog food recipes. In addition, Vital Essentials wet dog foods also provide more protein than Ziwi Peak wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Ziwi Peak and Vital Essentials. On average, Vital Essentials dry dog food recipes contain 6.10% less fat than Ziwi Peak recipes. In addition, Vital Essentials wet dog foods also provide more fat than Ziwi Peak wet foods.


Ziwi Peak and Vital Essentials both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Ziwi Peak and Vital Essentials also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Ziwi Peak Cat Food vs. Vital Essentials Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Crude Protein46.3%54.0%
Crude Fat32.8%27.5%
Crude Fiber2.3%5.1%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Crude Protein45.9%50.6%
Crude Fat24.5%18.8%
Crude Fiber7.7%2.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Ziwi Peak dry recipes contain 7.71% less protein than Vital Essentials dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Vital Essentials and Ziwi Peak. In addition, Vital Essentials wet cat foods also provide more protein than Ziwi Peak wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

The table shows that Vital Essentials provides far less fat than Ziwi Peak. The difference in fat content is roughly 5.25%. In addition, Ziwi Peak wet cat foods also provide more fat than Vital Essentials wet foods.


According to our data, Vital Essentials guarantees 2.75% more fiber than Ziwi Peak. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Ziwi Peak wet cat foods also provide more fiber than Vital Essentials wet foods.

Ziwi Peak Pet Food Ingredients vs. Vital Essentials Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Ziwi Peak.

Lamb Plasma

Product Safety: Recall History of Ziwi Peak & Vital Essentials?

According to our records, Ziwi Peak has never been recalled.

Vital Essentials has been recalled 4 times.

  • July 8, 2015: Listeria monocytogenes
  • Jan. 15, 2016: Salmonella
  • Feb. 24, 2018: Salmonella
  • April 16, 2018: Salmonella

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Per Pound$24.49$37.19
Per Calorie$0.0106$0.0186
Dry Cat FoodZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Per Pound$31.18$39.03
Per Calorie$0.0134$0.0200

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Ziwi Peak or Vital Essentials, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Ziwi Peak or Vital Essentials will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Ziwi Peak and Vital Essentials. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Ziwi Peak Pet Foods

You can purchase Ziwi Peak pet foods from the following stores:


40 Recipes In-Stock Today

20 Recipes In-Stock Today

28 Recipes In-Stock Today

22 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Vital Essentials Pet Foods

You can purchase Vital Essentials pet food products from these retailers:


47 Recipes In-Stock Today

43 Recipes In-Stock Today

21 Recipes In-Stock Today

23 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductZiwi PeakVital Essentials
Dry Dog Food9 RecipesNone
Wet Dog Food9 RecipesNone
Dog Treats11 Treats30 Treats
Dry Cat Food5 RecipesNone
Wet Cat Food10 RecipesNone
Cat TreatsNone8 Treats

Top Rated Ziwi Peak Recipes

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Canned Cat Food NZ Beef Recipe
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Top Rated Vital Essentials Recipes

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